Jack-o-lanterns are a Halloween staple. They're great decorations, and carving them can be a fun activity for the whole family. But if you dispose of the pumpkin's pulp and seeds the wrong way, your Halloween could turn out to be much less fun.

A common misconception is that garbage disposals can grind up anything, but that simply isn't true. Pumpkin pulp gums up garbage disposals, sometimes to the point of rendering them unusable. And once the pulp gets into the pipes, it hardens and creates a nasty crust that even chemical drain cleaners like Drano can't get through. Your only option at that point would be to call a plumber and have them snake the drain to cut through it.

Instead of throwing those pumpkin guts down the disposal, carve your pumpkin on a newspaper so you can easily collect all the pulp and throw it out in the trash or compost. It doesn't require any extra work, and your plumbing (and wallet) will thank you. You can either throw the seeds away too, or you can set them aside and roast them for a delicious healthy snack! Click here for a recipe!

Universal Plumbing & Sewer's technicians are drain cleaning experts. If you find yourself with drain problems of any kind, don't hesitate to call us at 586-459-0040!